Bottle case



u Mays, 1945.

Filed Jan. 17, 1942 H. L.. CHAPMAN BOTTLE CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n l 'i t n @QQ IIIIII Hora/o L. (iep/mq,

May 8, 1945- H. L.b CHAPMAN 2,375,467

BOTTLE CASE l rFiled Jan. 17, 194:2 2 sheets-sheet 2 ll'lllllll llllIHIlll [lll Fis. 5.

` Horb/d (lmp/naa, l

'- Patented May 8, 1945 j I;

UNlTED STATESV PATENT ori-Ica muoia L. mailman, East Monetair. Y. Appllclon J'Inlllly 17, 1942, Serial N0. 427,165 11 01811118. ('Cl. 224-48) This invention relates to cases or carriers for bottles and analogous shaped objects, particular- 1y cases of ,that type used for shipping and retailing beverages in lots of half-dozen, more or less. and as a convenient means for carrying the bottles.

An object of the invention is to provide a case of the type specified which will serve as a convenient carrying means and which at the same time may be packed in lots in compact form for storage and/or shipment with the bottles held in stable condition against contact and Vconsequent rattling and danger of breakage. More speciiically, the invention contemplates a carrying case for bottles having a handle which will fold down and at the same time grip the necks of the bottles and hold the latter rmly in upright position, and in conjunction therewith, the bottom oi' the case is provided with means for supporting the bottles inv a manner such as to permit any number of cases to be stacked compactly with a minimum of danger oi.v breakage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shipping and carrying case for bottles which may be readily /manufactured from a variety of materials, or is not restricted in its manufacture to materials which may not be available in certain localities or due to economic conditions generally. f

Additional objects include simplicity, low cost manufacture and to generally improve cases of this type.

The foregoing objects and advantagesv of the invention willl become apparent in View oi' the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a case or container in accordance with the invention, the case bel-l ing loaded with bottles and the handleof the case being folded down in bottle-gripping position;

'relay of loaded cases 1n stacked condition;

Figs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Fig. 1 illustrating modified forms of handles for the case.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the case or container comprises end frame members I and II and side frame members I2 and I3, these end and side members being Joined at their mar- Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the case` gina] edges by any suitable means, such as small nails or tacks to define a receptacle forv the bottles.

The weight of the bottles is taken primarily by a bottom member I I' in the form ,of a strip of-relatively thin preferably but not necessarily deformable material such as sheet metal' having its opposite ends bent upwardly to provide attachingl brackets I4 having triangular shaped lugs I5 punched therefrom with the pointed end of the triangle embedded in the adjacent end walls Illor II of the container, note the triangular opening in Fig. 3 defined by these punchedout attaching lugs. By referring to Fig. 4 it will be noted' that the bottom strip I4 is formed with a series of semi-circular recesses or depressions I6 shaped to receive .the bottoml bead usually present on a beverage bottle, these recesses being separated by a longitudinal strengthening and spacing bead-I1. When the bottles are disposed in the container with the bottom bead of each bottle in registration with the recesses I8, the tops of the bottles lie in a horizontal plane substantially flush with the top edges of the end frame members I and II, note Figure 5. W'hen loaded cases are stacked one uponthe other, the

`tops of the bottles of the bottom case project within the areas dened by the recesses I6 of the supporting strip I4 of the upper case,'per mitting the bottom edges of the end frames vII) and l I of the top case to rest directly on the upperedges of the end walls of the bottom case and .take the burden of the weight but with the bottles taking part of the weight and at the same timefforming a support for maintaining the cases in stacked position.

The handle of the case is constructed in a manner such as to not only coact with the bottom strip Il and facilitate stacking but to also engage the necks of the bottles and hold the latter firmly in upright position. In its preferred form l as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the handle member comprises a ilat strip of material I9 formed with pivots 20 at its opposite ends adapted to engage in openings 2| 'when the upper extremities of the end frame members I0 and II are sprung outwardly. The opposite edges of the strip I9 are formed with recesses 22 and 23, 23 adapted to engage the necks of the bottles when the strip 20 is turned to a substantiallyhorizontal position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5. The central portion of the strip has its one edgeextended in the form of a handle 24 the recess 2S' forming part of the opening which defines the L i handle.

l when the' handle is down, l cases to be stacked one upon the other as illus--` n' reference is had to rig.

and in effectv clamp the is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

carrying position it also permits the trated in Fig. 5.

The case may be 'made-from' a variety of ma` terials. In the event the cases are of a disposable` carton, or are not meant to be returned' tothe local dealer, they may be made oi cardboard. On

` 'the other nana, if a deposit is to be taken on the container and the latter is to be used over and over again, then the material should be such as to withstandsterilization without damage. metal is not available, suitable composition may be used, the'parts being capable of molding in quantities and thereafter assembled in a simple and easy manner. Wood may also be used and has been found satisfactory but should be treated to render it non-absorbent. If sheet metalA is available, the parts may be readily stamped and then assembled. When the attaching means for vthe bottom strip Il consists of the out-struck lugs I6 as shown Vin Fig. 3, thenthe end members should be made of wood or other material capable of receiving these lugs.` i

Fig. 6 shows a handle of wire and is shaped to provide portions 2B and 26' coacting with the handle proper to engage the necks of the bottles when the handle is turned downwardly, the handle portion engaging the center bottle. of the bottles are fully engaged by the handle, yet there is a general wedging or clamping action which tends to maintain all the bottles instable position. Theopposite ends of the handle project through openings 21 and are turned or bent at right anglesto provide lugs 28 which rotate in recess or enlargements 29 of the pivot openings 21.

In Figui the handle im is made of a ipiece of flat spring steel which may be'readily bent or de formed when the handle `is turned down so that it in effect wraps itself around the necks of the bottles and holds the latter in stable position. Here again, while only part of the bottles are actually engaged, yet there is a definite clamping action which prevents the displacement of the bottles. The ends ofthe wire handle 30 may be formed with holes and pivoted on suitable studs or screws 3 I. v

It will'be understood that certain minor changes in construction and design maybe adapted without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as defined bythe appending claims.

Whatis claimed is: y

1. A container orcasev for bottles and analogous shapedl objects, comprising bottom, side and end frame members defining a receptacle for a plurality ofupright bottles arranged in two sube stantiallyparallel rows, a ilat strip of material pivotally connected. tojand-between the upper extremities of-`the"container'at the level of the bottle necks 'and vswingable aboutv its pivots from an ,-'uprig'ht'xcarrying position to a substantially horizontal position, said strip having recesses formed inthe .opposite .edges thereof adapted to engage the necks of the bottles when the strip While in this instance only partk V'21,376,467' n i lis swung tosubstantiall-y lhorizontalposition. and

' to hold the bottles against ,rattlingand displacel in'conjunction with that when the strip 2lment in the case, said strip being formed with a cut-out portion leaning aliandle grip' portion to facilitate carrying the case when the handle member is swung to the position with said portion uppermost.

2. A vcontainer or case for bottles and analogous shaped objects. comprising bottom, side and end frame members delining a receptacle for a plurality of upright bottles arranged in two parallel rows, said end frame members projecting upwardly and terminating at the upper extremity of the case, an elongated handle member pivotally connected at the level of the bottle necks at its opposite ends to and extending between the upper extremities of said end frame members and lying between said rows of bottles, said handle member comprising a flat strip of material swingable about its. pivots from an upright carrying position to a substantially horizontal position., said strip being formed with recesses in vprede-- termined .spaced relation in opposite edges thereof adapted to register withy the necks of the bottles when the handle member is turned to the substantially horizontal position and to hold the bottles against rattling and displacement in the case, one edge of said strip being extended and'` formed with an enlarged opening to provide a handle grip portion to facilitate carrying the case when the handle member is swung to the upright position with saidedge uppermost.

3. A container or case for bottles and analogous shaped objects comprising frame members defining a receptacle for a plurality of upright bottlesA arranged in. two substantially parallely rows, a handle having each end pivotally connected to and between upper extremities ofthe container -at the level of the bottle necks and between said rows of bottles, 'said handle adapted to be swung about its pivots from an upright carrying position to a substantially horizontal position, said handle comprising a strip of relatively thin flexible material deformable to engage the necks of the bottles when the handle is swung to its substantially horizontal position and to hold the bottles against rattling and displacement v in the case.

4. A container or case for bottles or analogous shaped objects comprising frame members defining a receptacle fora plurality of bottles arranged in two substantially parallel rows, a han-l die pivotally connected to and between the upper extremities of the container at the level of the g bottle -necks and between said rows of bottles,

said handle adapted to be swung about its pivots from an upright carrying position to a substan tially horizontal position, said handle being formed of 'a strip of fiat spring steely adapted when swung to its substantially horizontal position to be deformed and engage the necks of one row of bottles and hold the bottles against rat- 'tling and displacement in the case.

5. A case for `bottles having reduced neck portions, comprising side and end walls and a botstom Wall, said bottom wall being formedwith two parallel series of recesses, each recess adapted lto receive the bottom of a bottle and positionv bottles placed in the case in two substantially parallel rows, said bottom wall being substanf tiallyl ilush lwith the bottom of the case, a handle pivotally connected tothe upper extremities of,4 the end walls and swingable about its pivots from' an upright carrying positionto a substantially horizontal position, the pivotal axis of the handle' 2,375,467. .being eme insubstantiauy horizontal 'ausnment with the reduced neck portions of the bottles and midway between two rows of bottles positioned "in the case, said handle lying between said bottles and being provided with edge portions curved in a manner such that whenthe a. depth such as will cause the tops of the bottles to lie in a horizontal plane substantially flush with the tops of said end walls so that in the event one case is stacked upon another, with the handle of the lower case in the horizontal position the load is taken by both the bottles and the case.

6. A container or case for bottles and analogous-shaped objects having reduced neck portions and bottom beads, comprisinga frame in objects having reduced neck portions and bottom members extending for substantially the full height of the case, a handle pivotally connected to the upper extremities of said end frame members and swingable about its pivots from an upright carrying position to a substantially horizontal stacking position, the pivotal points of the handle being located on an axis in a horizontal plane lying within the region of the necks of the bottles, said handle being of a size and conilguration to engage the necks of the bottles when it is turned to the substantially horizontal position and to hold the bottles stable in the case, the under surface of said bottom supporting member being substantially ush with the bottom of the case and said depressions in said supporting member being of a depth such as will cause the tops of the bottles in the case to lie in a horizontal plane substantially ush with the top of the case and whereby when one loaded case is stacked' upon another the weight of the superimposed case is substantially equally imposed on the frame of the case on which i't rests and the bottles therein when the handle of the lower case is in its substantially horizontal position.

7. A container or case for bottles and analogous shaped objects having' reduced neck portions and bottom projections and recesses, comprising' a frame including a bottom supporting member formed with depressions in its top surface receiving the bottom projections of the bottles in the case and recesses in its'under surface receiving the tops of bottles in another case-on which the instant case may be stacked, oppositely disposed upwardly projecting frame members extending for substantially the full height of the case, a handle pivotally connected to the upper extremities of said latter frame members and swingable about its pivots from an upright l carrying position to a substantially horizontal 4 tially iiush with the bottom of the case and said depressions `in said supporting member being of a depth such as will cause the tops of the bottles in the case to lie in a horizontal plane substantially ilush with the tops of said oppositely-disposed frame` members and whereby when one loaded case is stacked upon another the weight a of the superimposed caseis substantially equally imposed on the frame of the case on which it restsand vthe bottles therein when the handleI of the lower case is in its substantially horizontal position.

8. A container or case for two substantially parallel -rows of bottles and analogous shaped beads, comprising a franieincluding a bottomsupporting member formed with rows of depressions in its top surface receiving the bottom beads ofthe two rows of bottles in the case and recesses centrally of said depressions in its under surface receiving the tops of bottles in another case on which the instant case may be stacked, oppositely-disposed upwardly-projecting frame members extending for .substantially the full height of the case; a handle pivotally connected to the. upper extremities of 'said latter frame members, the pivotal points of the handle being located centrally of the oppositely disposed upwardly extending frame members on a horizontal axis between the two rows of bottles and within the region of the necks of the bottles, said handle swingable about its pivots from an upright carrying position to a substantially horizontal stacking position, said handle being of a size and con iiguratlon such that when it is turned to the depressions in said supporting member being of a depth such as will cause the tops of the bottles in the case to lie in a horizontal plane substantially flush with the top of the frame and whereby when one loaded case is stacked upon another the weight of the superimposed case is substantially equally imposed on the frame of the case on which it rests and the bottles therein when the h'andle of the lower case is inthe substantially horizontal position.

9. A container or case for bottles and. analogous-shaped objects comprising a bottom frame member and upwardly projecting substantially oppositely disposed side and end` frame members dening a receptacle for a plurality of bottles arranged in two substantially parallel rows, a handle pivotally connected to'and between the upper extremities of said end frame members, said handle swingable about its pivots from an upright carrying position to a substantially horizontal position, the pivotal points of said handle lying in a horizontal plane within the region of vand between the necks of the bottles, said handle being shaped in a manner such as to pass between the necks of certain of the bottles and exert pressure on said necks and hold the bottles stable in the case, said handle when in an upright position lying in a'plane substantially intermediate the two rows of bottles.

l0. A container or case for bottles and analoguus-shaped objects, comprising a bottom member and upwardly projecting side and end frame members defining a receptacle for the bottles, a handle in the form of a flat strip of material pivotally. connected to and between said end frame" memb'ers. saldfhandle strip being 'swing- `able about its pivots from an upright carrying position to a substantially horizontal position,

the pivotal points of the handle iyin in 'a horizontal piane within the region of the necks of fthe bottles. said handle having a series of recesses lformed in the opposite edges thereof arranged ltp frictionaliy engage the necks of the bottles when the handle isvturned to the substantially* horizontal position and to hold the bottles against `rattling and displacement inthe case;

11. A container or case for bottles and anale# ous-shaped objects comprising abottom-sup- `porting member and upwardiyaextendins side and end trame members defining -a receptacle for the bottles, a bottle-engaging member pivotalli connected to and between said end frame members. said engaging member being swingable about its pivots from an upright position where it is adapted for yuse as a.v handle to a substantially horizontal position and so constructed that when it is swung to its substantially horizontal v position, it engages between the upper extremities of two or more of the bottles and holds the bottles against rattling and displacement in the case.

HAROLD L. CHAPMAN. 

